Operational update
Nov 11, 2023
BC Hydro restores power to more than 80 percent of customers impacted by windstorm
5 p.m update
VANCOUVER: Of over 235,000 customers affected by the windstorm, 192,000 now have power again thanks to BC Hydro workers.
About half of the approximately 43,000 customers without power as of 5 p.m. are in Surrey, which was the hardest hit area.
Until power is restored, all available crews from BC Hydro and contractor crews will keep working nonstop. Although most customers should have their power restored tonight, some will be without it overnight owing to the scale of the damage, according to crews.
While workers attempt to repair the damage and restore power, BC Hydro appreciates that outages are inconvenient for its customers and thanks them for their patience. As new projections for power restoration are available, BC Hydro will post them at bchydro.com/outages.
Power restored to more than 147,000 customers impacted by windstorm
11:30 a.m. update
VANCOUVER: Workers from BC Hydro are making good progress in getting electricity back to customers who were affected by the storm last night. Of the almost 232,000 affected, about 147,000 subscribers, or around 63%, have been restored.
Approximately 85,000 consumers do not have electricity as of 11:30 a.m. 81,000 people, or the great majority, reside in the Lower Mainland. The most severely affected areas include Vancouver, Maple Ridge, Langley, and Surrey.
During the windstorm, branches and trees harmed by drought fell on electrical equipment, seriously damaging it. In an effort to restore electricity as soon as safely and rapidly as possible, BC Hydro has mobilized all of its staff, both internal and contractor, to respond to the storm.
Crews will continue working around-the-clock until power is restored. BC Hydro is hoping to have the majority of customers restored by the end of the day.
In spite of the fact that they may not be sparking or producing any sound, BC Hydro wants to remind people to always assume that downed or broken power lines are live. Call 911 while stepping back ten meters. First responders and BC Hydro staff will collaborate to secure the area.
We appreciate your patience and will keep you informed about new power restoration estimates as they become available at bchydro.com/outages.
Thousands lost power due to a windstorm on Vancouver Island and the South Coast at 7 a.m.
7 a.m. update
Over 170,000 BC Hydro customers in the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island, and the Gulf Islands lost power during the storm’s climax last night due to strong winds and heavy rain. Some customers had their electricity restored overnight by crews, but other areas continued to be affected by the severe winds. There are presently 120,000 patrons outside as of 7 a.m.
The prolonged dry spells over the summer have damaged the vegetation, increasing its susceptibility to wind. Consequently, a large number of fallen, damaged, and dead trees and branches have come into touch with BC Hydro’s electrical infrastructure. Workers have been and will be occupied fixing broken electricity poles, wires, and other machinery.
As of 7 a.m., there are 113,000 customers out in the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast and 7,400 customers out on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. The hardest hit areas are Surrey, Maple Ridge, Vancouver and Port Coquitlam.
BC Hydro understands that outages are disruptive and thanks its customers for their patience. All available BC Hydro crews and contractor crews will continue to work around the clock until power is restored.
Crews are receiving reports of downed power lines. A downed power line is an emergency. Call 911 and stay at least 10 metres back. BC Hydro crews will work with first responders to make the area safe.
